By Chris George
TuckerCountySports.Com
CHARLESTON – The Tucker County Girls’ Basketball team opened the State Tournament on Tuesday March 8th with a Quarterfinal game against #3 Tug Valley. The Lady Mt. Lions led throughout the contest and Tucker County held off a Tug Valley rally to get the first round State Tournament victory by the final score of 46-45.
Tucker County got off to a good start in the first period, but Tug Valley fought back late in the quarter to lead the Lady Mt. Lions after one quarter 6-5. The second quarter belonged to Tucker County as they outscored Tug Valley 16-11 to make the halftime score 21-17 Lady Mt. Lions.
Tucker County pulled away from Tug Valley in the third quarter as they outscored the Lady Panthers 17-13 in the third to put the Lady Mt. Lions lead to 38-30 after three quarters of play. Tug Valley then chipped away at the Tucker County lead in the fourth quarter. Tug Valley tied the game late and with under 20 seconds left in the game Tug Valley took the lead 45-44 after a 3 point basket. Tucker County, however, inbounded the ball quickly as raced to the other end of the floor to draw a foul. Jayden Kuhn went to the line for a 1 and 1 foul shot. Kuhn missed the foul shot, but Kadie Colebank got the rebound and was fouled on her shot with 6 seconds left in the game. Colebank then made both foul shots to give the Lady Mt. Lions the 46-45 lead. Tug Valley inbounded the ball and missed a three point shot as time expired. The Tucker County players celebrated as the #6 Lady Mt. Lions won the contest 46-45 over #3 Tug Valley to advance to the Final Four.
Junior, Kadie Colebank led Tucker County with 16 points, 25 rebounds, 5 blocks. Jayden Kuhn and Brylee Wetzel added 7 points each for the Lady Mt. Lions. Ericka Zirk added 9 rebounds and Macy Helmick followed with 6 rebounds for Tucker County.
CHARLESTON – The Lady Mt. Lions continued their State Tournament run with a Semi-Final game against #2 Cameron on Thursday March 10th. Tucker County got down in the second quarter, but a fourth quarter rally came up short as the Lady Mt. Lions fell in the contest 51-44.
Tucker County controlled the first quarter as the Lady Mt. Lions led after one quarter 8-6. Cameron fought back I the second quarter as they outscored Tucker County 19-7 in the second to make the halftime score 25-15 Cameron.
The third quarter was won slightly by Cameron 14-11 to make the score 39-26 Cameron after three quarters of play. The Lady Mt. Lions then battled back in the fourth as they outscored Cameron 18-12, but the Lady Dragons held off the Tucker County rally to capture the victory by the score of 51-44.
Macy Helmick led Tucker County with 15 points, 5 rebounds and Kadie Colebank added 11 points, 13 rebounds. Brylee Wetzel chipped in 9 points and Ericka Zirk pulled down 7 rebounds for Tucker County in the loss.
Cameron went on to defeat Gilmer County 53-50 in the Championship game with a made three point basket at the buzzer. Kadie Colebank was named to the Class “A” All-Tournament Team. Tucker County finished the season with a 19-7 record. For more info go to TuckerCountySports.Com.
